11 Facts About Humphrey Bland

Lieutenant-General Humphrey Bland was a British army officer.

Humphrey Bland was twice Commander-in-Chief, Scotland, first from 1747 to 1751, then 1753 until 1756, when ill-health forced his retirement.

Humphrey Bland was the second of six children, including three sisters, Frances, Anne and Elizabeth.

In 1755, Humphrey Bland married the much younger Elizabeth Dalrymple, sister of the 5th Earl of Stair and niece of Field Marshal John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair.

Humphrey Bland had no legitimate children but acknowledged paternity of Martha Maria Beresford.

Humphrey Bland transferred to the Royal Regiment of Dragoons in 1717 and promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 2nd King's Own Horse in 1718.

Britain was at peace from 1715 to 1740 and promotion slow, but Humphrey Bland made his reputation with the publication in 1727 of A Treatise of Military Discipline.

Humphrey Bland worked closely with Lord Milton, a senior Scottish judge who advocated reforming the land tenure system to reduce the power of clan chiefs and introducing industry to improve the general economy.

Humphrey Bland proposed re-establishing the network of military garrisons set up by Cromwell throughout Scotland, including detailed regulations for their relationships with the surrounding population, including education and intermarriage.

Humphrey Bland has been described as a classic example of senior career soldiers in this period; a 'bluff, methodical, proficient general officer, who took his duties seriously.

Humphrey Bland was appointed Governor of Gibraltar in 1749, a position that did not require residence and was considered a military backwater; however, he asked to be relieved of command in Scotland and moved there in 1751 due to ill-health.